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3 Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Sun Protection

We're experiencing a heat wave here in Seattle (shocking!) where I live, so I've got sun-protection on the brain. You might be surprised by these three things I learned about sunscreen and sun protection recently ...

1. Drinking fruity, alcoholic beverages means you need to reapply sunscreen more frequently. Do you love to lounge at the beach drinking a pina colada or margarita? That umbrella cocktail in your hand may be weakening your sunscreen’s effect, says New York-based skincare and beauty product expert Risi-Leanne Baranja, who cites the research of dermatologist Frederic Brandt, MD. “He explained that if you're drinking a significant amount of sugar or alcohol, you are causing inflammation in your skin and you will release more free radicals,” she says. “Then the sunlight suppresses your immune system. Therefore, it's important to add more sunscreen in these situations to combat it.”

2. Chocolate may protect your skin from the sun. No, don’t ditch your sunscreen in favor of a chocolate bar, but researchers say there may be something to our favorite treat’s sun-protecting effects. According to a recent study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, antioxidant-rich dark chocolate may increase your own UV protection. The researchers suggest eating little bits of chocolate—preferably dark chocolate, with 70 percent cacao content or higher—throughout the day to increase your body’s natural sun protection. Hey, we’re not arguing with that!

3. You’re probably not using enough sunscreen. Think about how much you squirt on your hand when applying it in the morning. A dime-size amount? A quarter-size? Both are far from enough, says New York-based celebrity makeup artist and skincare expert Mickey Williams. “Sunscreen should be applied liberally. Most people apply only 25 to 50 percent of the recommended amount of sunscreen. About one ounce of sunscreen, enough to fill a shot glass, is considered to be the amount needed to cover the exposed areas of the body properly.” If your face is the only real exposed area of your body, especially during the winter months, follow this advice from Dr. Brandt: “To ensure adequate coverage, apply a teaspoon of sunscreen—at least SPF 30—for your face and neck alone,” he says.